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ALLIANCE responds to COVID recovery consultation

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 8th November 2021
Report

The ALLIANCE has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on legislative reform to support recovery from COVID-19.

The ALLIANCE has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on legislative reform to support Scotland’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic (this link will take you away from our website).

The consultation refers to a range of proposals, including whether some temporary provisions made under the emergency coronavirus legislation and due to expire in March 2022 should be maintained.

The ALLIANCE broadly agrees with the proposals. However, we recommend that legislative reform is underpinned by equalities and human rights considerations and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. If the powers are made permanent, steps should be taken to advance equality and a human rights based approach should be at the forefront of legislative provisions. The ALLIANCE recommends that any reforms remain under regular and constant review to ensure that legislation continues to uphold, respect and protect human rights for marginalised groups, including disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers in Scotland.

The consultation also asks people to suggest any additional measures or legislation not covered in the consultation that could support Scotland’s recovery. It is important that our recovery from the pandemic addresses and priorities the inequality faced by marginalised population groups throughout the COVID-19 crisis. There are key legislative areas, and specific actions, which the ALLIANCE believes are key to a sustainable and just recovery:

  • The establishment of the National Care Service has the potential to be a key lever towards progressing the Scottish Government’s ambition to achieving the themes outlined in the consultation document. It offers an opportunity to reform social care, prioritise people’s rights and good personal outcomes.
  • The Scottish Government’s intention to consult on a new Human Rights Bill provides the opportunity to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People into Scots law. Incorporation of the CRPD will help to ensure that disabled people can enjoy their human rights and that they are enforceable, and will accelerate and guide the delivery of the work of public bodies towards real equality, both with and for, disabled people.

You can read our full response below.

Resources:

ALLIANCE Consultation Response - COVID Recovery
Download Word Document (71 KB)

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